Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. (Genesis 2:19 NAS95)
A few verses speak of an unbelievable relationship between God and Adam. I can’t even imagine the scene. How did God bring the animals to Adam? What sorts of things did they converse about as Adam perceived these wonderful creations and sought to name them? Did Adam even think to ask, “God, what do you want to call this one?” Or, “God, I’m kind of wondering why You created this one. I’m not sure I get it?” There has to have been a few animals that completely stumped Adam like the hippopotamus or the sloth. How many animals and how much time did this process take? What ways did God communicate? In any case, this process built relationship and fostered trust. It took time. It also formed an overpowering understanding of the Creator’s love, wisdom, gentleness and kindness that had to astound Adam. Don’t forget the amazing humility of God by letting Adam name the animals.
God desired Adam to live out of the profound space of receiving love not as the emotion of affection alone, but as the concrete meeting of needs filled with gentleness and kindness. The interaction of the naming displays the character of the living and true God who not only creates, but desires to give Himself away to His creation through the indelible experience of His Person. God is very personal. He loves to interact with us. As I consider this story and reflect, I realize that the interaction of the naming process provides a paradigm for prayer: conversing with God about everything, especially about what He is doing by bringing things my way. Something He does all the time.
For Reflection:
“What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?” (Psalms 8:4 NAS95)
- How would your conversation with God change, if you considered everything you encounter as something God is bringing your way and desires to do with you?
- How easy is it for you to consider God being as conversational with you as He was to Adam?
